You and the State: A Short Introduction to Political Philosophy (Elements of Philosophy)

Jan Narveson asks the provocative, philosophical question: is the state necessary? In this unusual introduction to political philosophy, Narveson draws on the history of political philosophy and discusses its main theories_classic liberal, democratic, socialist, radical_with reference to how each sees the place of the individual in the political order. Narveson's critique is situated within issues of freedom, authority, economic welfare, international relations and others to explore how and whether the state is necessary. His argument is ultimately anti-statist and takes seriously the question of whether and how some version of anarchism might make sense. You and the State; Contents; Preface; Acknowledgments; 1 What Is Political Philosophy About? Why Do It?; 2 Right and Might: From the Jungle to Civilized Government?; 3 Pushing the Good: Conservatism and the Guardian State; 4 Classic Liberalism and the Minimal State; 5 Democracy: All Power to the People?; 6 The Modern Regulatory Welfare State; 7 War and Peace, Immigration and Trade; 8 Taking Anarchism Seriously; Bibliography; Index; About the Author What is political philosophy about? why do it? -- Right and might : from the jungle to civilized government? -- Pushing the good : conservatism and the guardian state -- Classical liberalism and the minimal state -- Democracy : all power to the people? -- The modern regulatory welfare state -- War and peace, immigration and trade -- Taking anarchism seriously "In this unusual introduction to political philosophy, Narveson draws on the history of political philosophy and discusses its main theories - classic liberal, democratic, socialist, radical - with reference to how each sees the place of the individual in the political order."--BOOK JACKET This unusual introduction to political philosophy draws on its history and main theories_classic liberal, democratic, socialist, radical_with an eye to how each sees the place of the individual in the political order.